The Shafferland Shuffle

* Last Sunday, we helped pull off the surprise of the year...a birthday party for my mother-in-law! She turns 60 this year {that's been plastered all over Facebook, courtesy of the party pictures, so I'm guessing it's not a secret!!} and her kids banded together to plan a really nice surprise party for her. I'll write about it soon, but let's just say there was a LOT of lying involved on the part of your two Shaffer friends. I'm still repenting. But the best part was...she WAS surprised and she LOVED her day!

* Monday, I had my first big, significant follow-up appointment at the dentist after the Great Dental Event of 2014. I'd had a quick checkup a while back, but this one was lengthier and more in-depth. They are still pleased with my progress, although one particular area is not healing at all. Unfortunately it's in the front! That could be bad! She wasn't worried...yet. She gave me a 30 day antibiotic and said she would see if that helped clear up the infection. I was so happy that Ryan was able to come with me {just calms me}, and also happy that I was up for a free drink at Starbucks, so I was generously rewarded for my time in the chair. :)

* Tuesday was SUPPOSED to be our closing date for the house, and it fell through, which was a million kinds of devastating for everyone. I tried to hang onto promises I kept encountering on Facebook and Twitter...love the way God shows up with those at the perfect time. We spent the night at home, being sad, though entertained by our four-legged child. AND I did the final prep for my speaking engagement on Wednesday!

* Wednesday night, I stayed in Fort Wayne and spoke at the women's Christmas dinner at First Assembly church. The ladies were all gracious and warm and welcoming, and I loved spending the evening there. I had the opportunity to speak and share my heart, AND hear a really wonderful harpist! Can't wait to tell you more about it. And whilst I was gone, Ryan sold the living room furntiture...so little IKEA couch?? We're coming for you!!

* Thursday was the big day OF THE YEAR...we closed, at long, long last on the Greentown house! It was almost a 2 hour drive for me to get to work to the closing, and it was possibly the longest two hours of my life. We had drama clear up until the bitter end, but we closed and we were THRILLED! Celebrated with dinner at B-Dubs and after we got home - some serious prayer time!!

* Friday, Lynne and I took some time away for a working lunch and afternoon - we can't believe this year is almost wrapped UP! We went to McAlister's for lunch - and they were actually OUT OF TABLES! We lucked out by getting there right when someone left. After work I squeezed in some Christmas shopping for my handsome husband, and then said husband and I curled up and were ASLEEP by 7 p.m. If you can't tell, this has been a very long and big week! 

* We both had the day off work yesterday, so we started the day by sleeping IN!!! We finished all our Christmas cards and got those in the mail, wrapped all our gifts, did our grocery shopping, and ended our day by walking the entire Walkway of Lights in Marion. This is the 3rd year in a row we've visited it, but the first two times, it was so cold, we drove it. This year, the night was warm {well, for December} - so we walked it. It was SO much fun! I think our favorite part was walking past all the cars that were driving it and hearing families singing Christmas carols together!!